Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-02-03

= was young. and hope rose when be
Ihought Of the mysterious woman who
h@d given him the ring. She must
possess great power. for he understood
easugh dS the native language to
know that the prince had been great
Is perplexsd and amazed by his pos.
session Of the wonderful jewel.
Overcome at last BY bodily fatigue,
h sank into deep sleep. When he
awoke tho cool night air refreshed
Is burning brow. and the slight mo-
stieh of the ralaquin in which he was
borne along was not unpleasant.
cooline drinks were given him when
ths Whole train halted in the morning
and again be slept 'lohg and weariIy.
Feeble and listless. he again awak-
ened in the dreamy state which fol-
lows powerful narcotics. A slight
touch reused him. and he turned to
see a tall figure, veiled in white, stand
ing beside him.
Apparently hesitating a moment,
this mysterious lady threw off these
wrapPings, aud vision of beauty
startled the young officer, who half
believed her TO be one Of the visions
of his deep slumber.
She Possessed the pure, chiseled
features of the Brahmin race, a form
unduIating and swaying as a willow.
aud eyes so gloriously liquid in their
deep rich velvet blsckness that they
fascinated as if by spell. Her vest
OF green velvet, embroidered with
gold, was confined to her waist by an
orange-colored shawl; buttons Of dia-
monds and emeralds fastened it over
the bosom, while a rich crimson dra-
perry Hoated to the ground in graceful
folds.
DAzzled by her presence, Captain
Champion remained motionless, re-
garding her as in a dream bat plac-
ing her finger on her lip, she bent
over him, murmuring in her native
language:
Il am pries;ess in the Temple of
Jnggernaut and my father is the
prince of Scinde; I overheard the
plan Of Your capture and deter
mined to save your life. The ring
gave you is talisman, and will
preserve It's possessor from all evil; it
is regarded with great veneration BY
all our nation, and no one will dare
to injnre you while you wear it. I
have sovereign power over my family
from my position in the temple, yet
| would not openly oppose my father.
You will he taken to the temple, and
placed in charge Of one Of the priests;
but fear nothing. l will deliver you +;
only be patient"
She turned to go, but the officer ca
gerly murmured some broken express
sIons of gratitude at so unexpected a
deIiverance, and then ventured 10 ask
for his whip, which he valued as
friends gilt
She pointed with a smile to where
1t lay beside him. with his sword and
other accoutrements. aud then, with
a warning gesture, glided away.
Again the train Travelled on, aud
the morning light brought them IN
sight of the Temple of Juggernaut,
with its immense though ill-propor
toned tower rising above Iuxuriant
and ancient trees, while the distant
lashings of the surf on the shore were
heart each moment more distinctly.
Days and weeks passed away, and the
time hung heavily on The English
mns hands; still he placed great
faith in the promise of his fair protec,
tress, remembering her parting in
junction at patience. Besides, he knew
any attempt to escape would be fu-
tile. He wondered vainly where she
Was, until one day a token Of her
presence appeared in package of
English books, which he gladly vel
comed. They had been given to his
servant without a word.
At length, ore night he was awaken
ed by the Hindoo, who babe him fol-
low him, first throwing large white
veil over his head, completely en-
vrloPing his person; then, in silence,
led by the hand of his guide. he passed
through long passages, up marble
stairways, through winding corridors,
aud finally into a apartment perfumed
by fragrant waters playing from a
fountain 1t was dimly lighted. and.
although richly adorned, seemed but
an suteroom.
Here he was left for a moment,
while the sound Of whispering voices
was heard within; then, his attendant
returning, be was led into the presence
Of The beautiful Priestess, Relia Sal